These photographs are of Test Pilots,Engineers,and various research and production aircraft flown on test flights mostly from the late 1940's through to the present day.
Most of these have been kindly signed by those depicted

Friday, April 30, 2010

Colin Allen 1924-2006

Colin Allen was born in 1924 and was educated at Eton College and Cambridge. He joined the Royal Airforce in 1943 finally serving in 540Sqn P.R.U flying Mosquitos.On leaving the RAF in 1947, he spent twelve months as a pilot with Central African Airways. He then joined British European Airways and flew with them as a pilot for three years. During this period he was also a member of No. 604 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force.) flying Vampires before joining Avro.In 1952 he joined Vickers Armstrong (Weybridge) Ltd., and was, for six years, a production and experimental test pilot flying Valiant and Viscount aircraft.He joined Avro as a test pilot in 1959.After leaving Avro he went to the Air Investigation Branch (A.I.B) in the late 60s, before joining an African based airline flying DC8s. He then rejoined the A.I.B before retiring in the 1980s.